Deuteronomy 29:15 kjv
But with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day:
Deuteronomy 29:15 nkjv
but with him who stands here with us today before the LORD our God, as well as with him who is not here with us today
Deuteronomy 29:15 niv
who are standing here with us today in the presence of the LORD our God but also with those who are not here today.
Deuteronomy 29:15 esv
but with whoever is standing here with us today before the LORD our God, and with whoever is not here with us today.
Deuteronomy 29:15 nlt
I am making this covenant both with you who stand here today in the presence of the LORD our God, and also with the future generations who are not standing here today.
Deuteronomy 29 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 17:7 | I will establish my covenant... between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant... | Everlasting covenant for generations. |
| Exo 12:26 | When your children ask you, ‘What does this mean to you?’... | Future generations learning the law. |
| Deut 4:9 | make them known to your children and your children’s children... | Transmitting knowledge to future generations. |
| Deut 5:3 | The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive today. | The present generation included, building to 29:15. |
| Deut 6:7 | You shall teach them diligently to your children... | Responsibility to teach children God's commands. |
| Deut 29:10 | You are standing today, all of you, before the LORD your God... | Direct context: the immediate audience. |
| Deut 29:14 | and not with you only do I make this covenant... | Direct context: not limited to those present. |
| Josh 23:15 | But just as all the good things that the LORD your God promised you have come true... so will the LORD bring upon you all the evil things... | Blessings and curses apply to future Israel. |
| Isa 44:3 | For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. | God's blessings extending to descendants. |
| Isa 59:21 | “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart... from your offspring and your offspring’s offspring...” | Covenant lasting through generations. |
| Jer 31:31 | Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah... | New Covenant's promise for all God's people. |
| Ezek 18:2 | What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? | Challenges concept of solely generational punishment/responsibility, but individual accountability is also key. |
| Joel 2:28 | And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy... | Spirit for all people, including future generations. |
| Zec 8:12 | For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit... | Prophetic blessing for future generations. |
| Psa 78:4 | We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD... | Passing on God's truth to future generations. |
| Acts 2:39 | For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” | New Testament echo: God's promise for future believers. |
| Rom 9:4-5 | They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants... | Covenants as heritage of Israel. |
| Rom 11:26 | And in this way all Israel will be saved... | Future salvation for all Israel. |
| Gal 3:29 | And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. | Covenant blessings extend to all in Christ, not just physical descent. |
| Eph 1:4 | even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world... | God's choice predates our existence. |
| Eph 2:19 | So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God... | Believers joined into God's family/covenant community. |
| Heb 8:8 | For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah... | Confirmation of the New Covenant's future promise. |
Deuteronomy 29 verses
Deuteronomy 29 15 Meaning
Deuteronomy 29:15 declares that the covenant established by God at Moab includes not only those physically present "this day" before the LORD, but also those who are not present and, significantly, those who are yet to be born into the generations to come. This ensures the comprehensive and enduring nature of the divine covenant, binding all future Israelites to its terms, responsibilities, blessings, and curses.
Deuteronomy 29 15 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 29 serves as the climax of Moses’ final discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, immediately before they enter the promised land. It represents a solemn renewal of the covenant made at Horeb (Sinai). This reaffirmation was crucial because the generation that experienced Sinai had largely died in the wilderness, and a new generation was about to embark on the conquest of Canaan. The preceding verses (29:10-13) establish that the entire current congregation—leaders, tribes, families, and even servants—were present before the LORD to enter into this covenant. Verse 29:14 then explicitly states that the covenant is "not with you only," setting the stage for verse 15 to expand the covenant's scope even further, affirming that it applies to all those who were not physically present at that momentous assembly, particularly the unborn generations who would inherit the land and the covenant responsibilities.
Deuteronomy 29 15 Word analysis
- וְאֵת (v'et): "And with" / "Also with". This conjunction links back to verse 14 ("not with you only") and explicitly expands the covenant's beneficiaries. The Hebrew particle 'et' here functions as a preposition indicating association or inclusion.
- אֲשֶׁר (asher): "who" / "that" / "which". A relative pronoun, it introduces the descriptor for those included in the covenant. It refers to a person or people.
- אֵינֶנּוּ (einennu): "is not" / "who is not". This word combines the negative particle 'אין' (ayin, meaning 'there is no/not') with the 3rd person masculine singular pronominal suffix '־נּוּ' (nnu, 'him'). This precise wording underscores the physical absence of the individual or group. Its emphasis on "is not" present is key to the verse's meaning.
- פֹה (poh): "here". This adverb points to the specific geographical location and immediate moment of the covenant renewal ceremony. It clarifies the type of absence: not just general absence, but not here at this particular significant assembly.
- עִמָּנוּ (immanu): "with us". This combines the preposition 'עִם' (im, 'with') and the 1st person plural pronominal suffix '־נוּ' (nu, 'us'). It reinforces the concept of a shared communal experience and relationship with God from which others are absent today.
- הַיּוֹם (hayyom): "this day" / "today". This definite noun emphasizes the specific temporal context of the assembly. The covenant is being renewed today, but its effects extend beyond this particular day and generation. This word signals the ongoing nature of God's dealings.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר" (v'et asher): "And with him who" or "and with those whom." This opening phrase immediately establishes an additional category of beneficiaries beyond the immediate audience, setting the expansive scope of the covenant. It indicates a broadening of the covenant's reach.
- "אֵינֶנּוּ פֹה" (einennu poh): "is not here." This crucial phrase directly defines the absent party. It explicitly refers to a physical non-presence at that specific historical event. Theologically, this points primarily to unborn future generations of Israel, although it could secondarily include others temporarily away.
- "עִמָּנוּ הַיּוֹם" (immanu hayyom): "with us this day." This clarifies the context of absence. It specifies that those included in the covenant are not merely generally "not here," but are not sharing the direct, present experience of the covenant renewal alongside the standing congregation. This powerfully signifies that the covenant binds individuals who were not eyewitnesses or participants at its ratification.
Deuteronomy 29 15 Bonus section
- The extension of the covenant to the unseen and unborn speaks volumes about God's eternal perspective and His faithfulness to His long-term plans for His people. It reveals a covenant not limited by time or human presence, reflecting God's transcendence.
- This verse contributes to the concept of the corporate solidarity of Israel, where generations are linked together in their relationship with God. The covenant is inherited, carrying both privileges and obligations from one era to the next.
- For the ancient Israelites, this verse instilled both a sense of profound privilege and a heavy responsibility. They were part of an ongoing, divinely initiated story, and their obedience or disobedience would impact future generations.
- In light of the New Covenant, this principle echoes in God's promises to the church— His Spirit poured out on all believers (Acts 2:39), including those yet to believe, showing that God's people span across all time, unified in Christ.
Deuteronomy 29 15 Commentary
Deuteronomy 29:15 powerfully asserts the intergenerational and timeless nature of God's covenant with Israel. It clarifies that the blessings and curses of the Mosaic Law extend far beyond the immediate assembly at Moab, encompassing all subsequent generations who would form the corporate body of Israel. This pre-commitment binds unborn individuals to God's law, highlighting divine sovereignty and foreknowledge. It underscored that one's birth into Israel meant automatic inclusion in the covenant, making them accountable for its terms. This theological principle forms the bedrock for Israel's enduring identity as God's chosen people, ensuring continuity despite the passing of generations. The verse counters any notion that God's covenant was merely a transactional agreement with a single generation, instead demonstrating it as an enduring, foundational relationship.